Machine frame



March 13, 1951 F. A. PRAHL, JR 2,544,723

MACHINE FRAME Filed July 25, 1945 2 Sheeis-Sheet 1 C /6 f1 l x /4 I l 46 //0 L 0. l I- [y www' 4.. 66 68 www umwnmlmmuumll" /08 I|| lmmlwmm a 4f@ u Il" 46A /0 I (www 70 567'] /00 g5 r11/en for Ffdeffcmpmhz March 13, 1951 vF. A. PRAHL, JR 2,544,723

. MACHINE FRAME Filed July 25, 1945 y 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 13,A 17951 UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE MAHNE FRAME FrederickA. PrahlaJr., Wenhain, Mass., assignor tov United Shoe Machinery Corporation, `Flemington, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application July 25, 1945,A serial No. 606,895

This invention relates to machine framesV and is herein disclosed, by Way. ofY example, asembodied in a frame suitable fori use in many types of shoe machinery.

It has hitherto been customary in the building of machines to support theA operating hea'd by a rigid. cast metal column having an integralV base adapted. to restuponV the oor. Suchlstructures, however,V often required"V an excessive quantity of metal and were unnecessarily heavy. Because ofV the Weight and irregular contour of such structures they were, dilicult to move, it' being customary to provide pinch bar :recessesv inthe base close to the. floor sotha't the mach-ine could be inched along the floor. to the proper position or could be raised upon.atruckconveniently. In many instances, however, breakage o'f-tl'i'e legsfo-r floor engaging lugs of. such machines occurred from careless handling during transportation. Breaka'ge of the'legs in some instances caused the machine to alLsubj'ecting those moving the machine to dangerof serious injury. Moreover, in machines having.` a heightwise adjustable head, such metal frames were unsightly by reason of their' failure to provide: any housing for `tlie adjustable members which directly supported the head.

I-t is an object of the present inventiontopro= videa heightwise adjustablemachineiframe which is relatively light, inexpensive', and-neatlooking. In an illustrative machine` frame embodying the' invention and disclosed herein, theV column portion of the frame is formed ofsheet metal.Y The machine head i's carried by a post 4vvlriiclilis" slidably mounted, for heightwise adjustment,- ina 'bear-"f ing'sleeve secured to the upper `portieri of the column. Whether adjustable Vfor vheight or not the present embodiment of the invention is such that much weight is eliminated in the machine frame and the column. structure 4constitutes a shock absorbing connectionsecured betweenl a rigid cast metal base and a castmetal machine supporting member'. For this purpose the col` umn is formed from a single i'nex'pensivev thin rectangular plate of relatively resilient metal sheetl bent into' an open boit-'like structure of C# shaped cross-section with substantial vacant space inside, the opening between tllie edges ofwhich bent sheet extends heightwiserirom thev machine supporting member to' therbase' member to provide a torsional yielding action about an axis running lengthwiseV ot the column when stress is applied betweensaid members. Accordingly, to enable the torsional action of the col-Y umn to be accommodated, the col-umnis'ixed to" 3 claims. (o1. 248-121) the iian'g'es of a pair of flanged end plates secured tothe supporting and base members by fasten` ings spaced inwardly from the anges on Vthe plates. The plates provide effectivey resilient exure between the flanges and the fastenings'in al direction at right angles tothe planes ofthe plates.

By constructingthe 'columnin this way it is made large enough to insure'l space vwithin it for essential auxiliary devices for the machine suoli as va height-adjusting supporting` post,fc1'amping means therefor, a treadle rod andxother` similar adjuncts. With ample lspacer within' th'efcolumn therey is no` necessity Ifor the use .ofY external-api panda-ges so that the appearance will not be aflfected adversely, the generalcon-tour Vof .the frame being unbroken while enabling. easy han= elling of the machinel Without subjecting those moving it from place to place tot injurious con= tact'with irregular or pointed projections; thereon. Vibratory eiectsf of 'the partsv withinthe column one against another also will largely 'be avoided. j

As illustrated, the height adjusting post is slidably mounted within a vertical clamping' sleeve at the upper endoi the column'.

These and other features-of thelinvention,in= cluding certain' details of` construction-i andi com2 binations of partswill-be set forth inc'onne'ction with an illustrative machine: and willr bei 'pointed'v out in the appendedclaims.

Referring now to the accompanying .drawing,v

Fi'g. 1 is an angular viewoii al machine'ffr'ame embodying the invention;

Fig'. 2V is a sectional view' in side elevation of the frame shown in Fig. `1f` Fig. 3 isa section taken on. the line IIB-III. of! Fig. 2, the housing being omitted;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section takenoi'i the line IV-IV of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectionftaken on the line V-V of- Fig. 2; and

Fig. 6 is a' sectionall view taken along theline' VI-'VI of Fig. 2 showing thesuppo'rtihg column only.

The improved machinek .frame disclosed herein comprises a hollow Vertical column I0 of rela-- tively flexible sheet metal mounted upon a cast metal base l27 and indirectly carrying" a cast metal plate i4 upon which may be mounted a machine head r6', indicated brokenr` lines the drawing. This frame isr suitable for 'sie porting' manyv different types of machine head2,- the one shown hereirifby Way of example be ng tliev head of platform cover' lasting' maliirie disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,411,827, granted November 26, 1946, upon the application of Joseph Fossa.

The column I6 is a box-like structure, of substantially rectangular C-shaped cross-section, composed of a single piece of sheet metal bent to form three closed sides with spaced edges at the rear of the column and the bottom and-top edge secured to the base I2 and mounting plate I4, respectively. The rear side of the column is not completely closed, but is formed with a heightwise opening extending the full length of the column. The edges of the sheet metal adjacent to said heightwise opening arerturned inwardly to form stiffening flanges I8 (Figs. 2 and 5). A

lower end plate 26 has three upturned flanges 22 which are fixed by welding to the front and side walls of the column I6. The column I6 is secured upon the base I2 iby fastening screws 24 passing through the plate 26 and the top wall of the base I2 at positions spaced inwardly from the anges of the plate. The upper end of the column I has secured thereto an end plate 26 similar in all respects to the end plate 26. Depending from the plate 26 is a vertically arranged machine supporting bearing sleeve 28 having a radial flange 30. Fastening screws 32 passing through the plate 26 at positions spaced inwardly from the flanges of plate 26 and threaded into the flange 3D secure the bearing sleeve 28 to the plate 26. Slidably mounted for heightwise adjustment in the bearing sleeve 28 is a'relatively rigid cylindrical hollow post 34 having an outwardly extending flange 3B at its upper end. The post is substantially smaller in diameter than the width and the front to rear depth of the column to provide a vacant space at all sides of the post within the column. Secured upon the flange 36 by screws 38 is the headsupporting plate I4. It will be observed that the plate 26 hasa central opening to accommodate the post 34. As a matter of convenience in manufacture, the lower plate 26 is made withv a similar central opening. The post 34 has a heightwise extending slot 46 through which extend a pair of post securing carriage bolts 42. The square portions of the shanks of the bolts 42 slidably engage the slot 46 without turning therein. The bolts continue through openings in the sleeve 28 and are secured by nuts 44 which clamp the post 34 in any desired position of heightwise adjustment.

As has been stated, the column acts as a shock absorbing connection between the base and the machine supporting member comprising the bearing sleeve 28. This action is the result of two features in the construction, first the spacing of the fastening screws 24 and 32 from the anges of the respective plates which they secure and, second the heightwise opening between the edges of the column plate. Yielding torsional action in the column is permitted because the plates 26 and 26 flex slightly toward and away from the base I2 or flange 30 of the machine supporting sleeve 28, the vertical edges of the column plate moving slightly relatively to each other. In telescopic relation to the column l0 and serving as a housing for the portion of the post 34 which extends above the column is a frame member 46 of sheet metal having an upper end plate 48 which is secured by screws to the under surface of the flange 36. The frame member 46, like the column I6, is substantially rectangular in cross section with its rear side not completely closed, thereby providing access to the nuts 44. The end plate 48 has three flanges 56 which are similar to the flanges 22 of the end plate 20 and which are welded to the inner surface of the Wall of the frame member 46 to support the frame member in depending relation to the flange 36. Because of the telescoping engagement of the frame member 46 with the column IU the head I6 may be adjusted to any desired height without altering the appearance of the machine frame, the effect of the extension of the post 34 thus being to render the column I6 apparently extensible and collapsible heightwise as the head is adjusted up and down. Furthermore, the clamping nuts are accessible from between the flanged vertical edges of the sheet metal column and are disposed well inside the column to eliminate external appendages outside the column, thus presenting a pleasing appearance and a smooth unbroken external contour while providing adequate accessibility. v

The mechanism of the machine may be controlled by a treadle 52 fulcrumed in the base I2 and connected to the lower end of a treadle rod 54 (Fig. 2). An extension rod 56 is clamped to the rod 54 by a clamping block 58 which provides for relative heightwise adjustment of the rod 56 with respect to the rod 54. The upper end of the rod 56 is pivotally connected to a lever 60 (see also Fig. 3) which is bow-shaped to clear the post 34 and which is fulcrumed upon a pin 62 carried by a bracket 64 which is dependingly secured to the flange 36. Both the control lever 60 and the pin mounting bracket 64 are disposed within the outlines of the upwardly projected external contour of the sheet metal column I inside the enclosing frame member 46. One end only of the pin 62 extends beyond the projected external contour of the column. Extending from that end of the pin 62 outside the enclosing frame member 46 is a crank arm 66 which is pivotally connected to a rod 66 which, in turn, is connected to the mechanism to be controlled.

The machine is driven from a motor 'i0 by a belt 'I2 running over a pulley 'I4 mounted on the head I6. To accommodate heightwise adjustment of the head I6 and also to enable the tension of the belt 'I2 to be adjusted or belts of various lengths to be employed, the motor 'I6 is carried upon a bracket 16 with provision for heightwise adjustment on the column I0. To this end, the bracket 'I6 is mounted upon a clamping plate I8 which bridges the opening in the rear wall of the column I0 and which bears against the outer surface of the rear wall adjacent to the opening. Within the column I0 and bridging the opening are a pair of clamping bars 8D and 82. Each of these bars engages the edges of the inturned flanges I8. Threaded into each of the bars 68, 82 and passing through the clamping plate 'I8 are clamping screws 84 which, when tightened, exert a clamping pressure through the adjacent flange I8. There are thus four clamping screws 64 distributed adjacent to the corners of the plate 18, two of them being. threaded into the upper clamping bar BI] and the other two into the lower clamping bar 82. There is only slight clearance between the Shanks of the screws 64 and the adjacent sides of the flanges I8, so that the anges serve as a guide to determine the lateral position of the motor 'I0 and thereby keep the motor pulley in alinement with the pulley 74. While the clamping pressure of the screws 84 is sucient to prevent displacement of the motor bracket 'I6 vertically 'and tends to stiien the columnisomewhat against torsion,- vthe' v'pressure of the screws exerts a frictional effect only along edges of the column to reduce yielding action but not to prevent it.

For general utility andconvenience in many types of machines a shelf 86 is mounted upon the column Ill. This shelf is formed of sheet metal and has a stiifening ange 88 extending downwardly from its outer edger andaflange 99 extending downwardly from its inner edge, that is, the edge adjacent to the frame member d6. The shelf Sii is supported by a pair of. screws92 and 93 which are threaded one above -the other into a block 941 welded to the inner vsurface of the column lil. The flange 9B is spaced from the column Il! by a pair of spacer s1eeves 9b which surround the screws 92 and 93 and which are interposed between the flange 90 and the column I0. The frame member 4 has a vertical slot 98 (Fig. 1) which provides clearance for the sleeves 96 and thus leaves the frame member free for heightwise adjustment. The shelf 86 is reinforced at the locality of its attachment to the column le by a piece of sheet metal |00 welded to the depending flange 9i) and having end portions |92 bent diagonally forward to form stifiening webs which extend to the corners of the shelf. rI"he upper portions of the webs |62 are flanged over for attachment to the under surface of the shelf. As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the shelf Bt is notched to partially embrace the two sides of the machine frame. In order to provide additional support to the laterally extending portions of the shelf, a flanged bracket |64 is secured by bolts |l6 to the depending flange 88 on each side. Each bracket |534 is, in turn, secured to the frame member 46 by a carriage bolt |08 the head of which extends into a slot formed by two parallel flanged strips of sheet metal welded to the outer surface of the frame member 43. When the machine head is to be adjusted for height, the bolts Hi8 are first loosened to set the frame member 46 free for suc adjustment.

A switch box ||2 is mounted upon the column I@ by the screw 93 and a similar screw ||4 threaded into a block ||6 welded to the inner surface of the column lil. Surrounding the screw ||2 is a spacing sleeve ||8. The heads of the screws 93 and ||4 are received between a pair of flanged metal strips |20 resembling the strips lil and screwed to the rear Wall of the switch box ||2. The strips |20 are clamped in position by the screws S3 and ||4 before the switch box is secured to the strips.

It is evident that the machine frame described above is lighter, cheaper and more resilient than a cast metal frame wherein the column and the base are integral. The above-described frame, moreover, can be disassembled and the various portions packed separately for convenience in shipping. Even when the frame is not disassembled fcr shipping the torsional yielding action of the column protects the machine and the operating parts supported by the column from possibility of injury as a result of vibration, impact or rough handling. rllhe construction described is particularly advantageous when the machine is being moved along a hard cement floor by a pinch bar, inserted in recesses for this purpose, one of which recesses is indicated at |22 in the base l2. The yielding torsional action of the column greatly assists in reducing breakage when a pinch bar is employed. It is so constructed as to hold the machine head I6 against turning, not only during the operation of the machine, but even during the heightwise. adjustment of: the. head'. Such turning, in the absence 'of somev provisionto the contrary, would be: practically. unavoidable during heightwise adjustment. Any change from the accustomed` position of. orientation. of the. head, if permitted, would cause inconven- V ience to the operator. Turning .of the head, furthermore, would interfere with the operation of the mechanism controlled by the treadle 52 and might interfere with the heightwise adjustment of the head and. even cause the rectangular telescoping frame member 46 towarp out of shape by jamming it against the rectangular columnl 0, with possible damageto. the surface nish of the column. In the frame disclosed herein, turning of the machine head during the operation of the machine is prevented primarily by the clamping action of the carriage bolts 42. DuringL heightwise adjustment of the head, such turning is prevented by the engagement of the shanks of the bolts 42 with the slot 40.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A fabricated frame for a machine of the type described having rigid, cast metal, machine supporting and base members, in combination with a shock absorbing connection between said members comprising a hollow vertical column formed from a single rectangular plate of relatively resilient sheet metal bent into an open boxlike structure of C-shaped cross section with closed front and side Walls and substantial vacant space inside, the fourth side of the co1- umn being partly closed but with a heightwise opening and anged end plates, having their ilanges xed to the front and side walls of the column and being secured to the machine supporting and base members by fastenings spaced inwardly from the flanges thereon to accommodate torsional action in the column through iiexure of the plates between the flanges and the fastenings at right angles to the planes of the plates.

2. A fabricated frame for a machine of the type described having a rigid cast metal base member, in combination with a shock absorbing hollow vertical column of relatively resilient sheet metal bent into an open box-like structure with substantial vacant space inside and with spaced edges at the rear, a radially iianged bearing sleeve secured to the upper edge of the column, a rigid hollow cylindrical post within the bearing sleeve projecting into the column of sufnoiently small diameter to provide space at all sides of the post within the column, and means accessible from between the vertical edges of the sheet metal column but disposed inside the column for adjustably clamping the post to the sleeve without external appendages outside the column.

3. A fabricated frame for a machine of the type described having a rigid cast metal base member, in combination with a shock absorbing hollow vertical column of relatively resilient sheet metal bent into an open box-like structure with substantial vacant space inside and with spaced edges at the rear, a radially flanged bearing sleeve secured to the upper edge of the column, a rigid hollow cylindrical post within the bearing sleeve projecting into the column of sufficiently small diameter to provide space at all sides of the post within the column, means accessible from between the vertical edges of the sheet metal column but disposed inside the coln umn for adjustably clamping the post to lthe sleeve without external appendages outside the column, a bow-shaped machine control lever disposed at the upper end of the post in surroundingr relation thereto within theupwardly projected external contour of the column, a bearing block Within the upwardly projected contour of the column supported by the post, a rotary pin in the bearing block to which the control lever is secured, and a treadle rod connected at its upper end to the lever and extending downwardly through the free space between the column and the cylindrical post.

FREDERICK A. PRAHL, JR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Andren June 4, 1895 Moore Feb. 2, 1909 Carpenter et al. July 30, 1912 Armbruster July 11, 1916 Stahl April 6, 1920 Parret Oct. 18, 1921 Barr et al. Jan. 9, 1923 Saunders Feb. 5, 1924 Huye June 24, 1930 Moore May 15, 1934 Harper May 11, 1937 

